Literature Circle In-Service

Presented by: Susan Moran 

February 2, 2004

The Joy and Jeopardy of Role Sheets

taker and devise 

your own version

 of Lit Circles!

When planning your Literature Circles 

Take the following suggestions 

into consideration.

1. Organization of Classroom materials

2. Organization of desks.        

Be aware of "Role Sheet Backfire" H.D

Remember

• The Aim of Lit Circles is to allow students to have real discussions/ conversations about characters / events/settings/ plots etc. in their novels.

• Begin with the sheets but get the kids to come up with some ideas for sharing information.

• Use Dialogue Journals to elicit deeper meanings. I have students react in four ways when they write. See Longer version of this technique for grade 8.

•  They  1. Reflect -- I thought Jason was being a really big jerk when he said John was not good enough to join the team. 2. Connect -- I remember when I was ten and one of my friends said this same thing to me and boy did I get a shock when another boy stuck up for me. We have been friends ever since.   3. Question -- I wonder why he thought he was so good anyway?   4. Predict --I bet he gets shown up sometime in this book. I hope he does!

• Keep in mind the whole idea is to READ and WRITE! To gain deeper understanding of what they are reading.

• Vocabulary can easily be covered through activities and discussion.

What do teachers do while students read?

• Decide on  organization of books.

• Prepare by getting folders/ bins ready.

• Conference with Individuals or groups.

• Circulate while they discuss.

• Observe and make notes.

• Make sure folders contain completed reading maps.

• Check students are prepared and on task.

• Track student progress.

• Fill out weekly record sheets.